ibook G4 14" on editting. FCP4
 

My old Toshiba Dynabook went caput, so
I'm cosidering to buy the new ibook G4 14" for all email etc. and possibly editting. Since I have been using FCP 4 alot recently, I thought the ibook will be a good introductory for me to go back to Macs. Though I will definitely still be using Win.

Can you give me a opinion on if this ibook is good enough?
There are a couple of G4 desktops in the office so, I figure I do the heavy renders. stuff on them, but edit FCP4 on the go.

I have read that altough the 640MB limit, you CAN put 1G ram on it, and also the monitor out capability limit can be hacked. Are these facts? if so, what's the drawback to the more heftier powerbook G4s?

I haven't owned a Mac since the Powerbook 180c. (the first color powerbook) Used it until it started showing bomb marks.

Thanks,
Takeshi

It will be a marginal performer in my opinion. It sounds like you're counting on getting a performance boast from hacks. What you may get is instability and lower reliability. Apple offers the PowerBooks for better performance. It is also available in 3 sizes to best fit your needs. I occasionally edit movies on my PowerBook and it performs quite well. I wouldn't expect near the same level of performance from an iBook.

Jeff Thanks for the info.
Money wise, I think the ibook is the only choice for me. I'll keep in mind the risk of hacking. hope I don't need to try it.
Takeshi

Is there other limitations in the ibook?

The iBook can't have a built-in Superdrive (DVD-R, CD-RW). It's also heavier than a PowerBook, and has less storage space. That said, it is significantly less expensive than the PowerBook. I would assume you can edit on it fine, especially if you use Offline RT, and then do the effects heavy rendering on the desktops at work. Just don't expect the iBook to be fast.

fcp on dvd
 

don't I recall FCP4 being on DVD? I think that's a requirement for installation. Dunno if you could do an install with a third party firewire drive. maybe. maybe not.

You can install FCP4 by using a G4 tower as a firewire drive (boot it up in firewire target mode).

I thought you only needed hacks (the Dane hack to be precise) with FCP3 to get "unlimited"/non-safe RT? Doesn't FCP4 give you unlimited RT and firewire output? (both still processor dependent)

Thanks all,
The 14" ibook 1G comes with DVD-rom drive (read but no write) so I figure I can install FCP4. It's too bad they don't have write enabled Super drive. I guess I'll have to live with that.
One tech question. What is the Secondary cash? The secondary cashe is set lower on the ibook than the powerbooks. how will this effect performance?
Thanks again,
All the best,
Takeshi

There are 3rd parties that have DVD-R drives available. It is a DVD-ROM drive so installation is no problem. However, performance will not have the snappy feel of the Power Macs. The ram limitation is one factor. FCP needs lots of ram, the more the better. However, as noted, the iBook is limited to 640mb. It will also suffer from smaller caches, slower busses and other limitations. It works, but I would not recommend it as the primary editing station.

Thanks Jeff,
I am not consider the ibook as a primary editting machine. Have 2 G4 Dual1G desktops in the office. Mainly will be working when traveling.
There was report on the Mac site where FCP4 worked on a 12" G4 ibook so the 14" must be pretty well off.
http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?14@247.JtjoaPnakkn.16@.599cb362

Also you mentioned smaller cashes, so another question. I am familiar that in 3D Graphics, cashe amount makes alot of difference. stocking up frames. How is it used in FCP? Is it something critical?

I went to the store today thought I was buying the 14". Was playing around, and the fact that the resolution 14" = 12". Kinda made me think, maybe I'd better off with the 12". Save some cash $s for some HDs.
hmmm. Either way I can't wait.
Takeshi

Larger caches allow for RT effects etc. Smaller caches and less ram is a limitation and will greatly hinder performance. The offline mode, with lower resolution, will be your best bet.

I use the powerbook every week for a 30 minute program. The cache makes the difference if you are rendering and with RT but if you are rendering on a desktop and the cash makes that much difference then the Ibook will be ok.

People I know that use the Ibook for video production are not very satisfied, 2 of them have said they wish they would have bit the bullet and bought the powerbook. Reasons, they love the portability and rendering time is too large on the Ibook.

DVD-R is another huge reason.

Good luck.

By the way OSX10.2.6 and FCP3.4 made about a 10 hour difference in rendering a 30 minute program for "Broadcast Safe" filter. The software upgrade took advantage of the extended Cache and it really smokes now.

Thanks for the input Butch. Your posts pretty much confirm everything I've heard about iBooks and editing with FCP 3.

The cache serves as a temporary repository for extensively used data. Your computer can quickly access data that's stored in the cache while it takes longer to access data from RAM and even longer to access data from the hard drive. Theoretically, a smaller cache is likely to decrease performance but can possibly increase performance. It doesn't really matter though. Ultimately what you care about is the speed difference. It seems to me:
towers > powerbooks > iBooks

Uh... 10 hours?!?!

No VI
 

Remember to the iBook G4 doesnt have the velocity engine of the G4 Powerbook, imac, emac, and powermacs. I might be worng but this is what i have heard from several people. So if it is true all those RT effects wont work well if at all.

external video, velocity engine
 

if the iBook didn't use the velocity engine I don't think Apple could/would call it a G4. I can always be corrected but I think the iBook G4 uses the velocity engine.

My biggest "don't do it" comment revolves around the ibook not being able to use dual displays. You can mirror your screen but can't connect a second screen and I can't imagine FCP editing being done on a 14" screen, without access to more screen real estate. I'm sure some people do it.... ;)

I am also considering a portable to do some editing on the road, with really heavy duty stuff reserved for the desktop. The arguments for the Powerbook make sense to me, but I'm wondering if people think there is a significant difference between the 12 and 15 inch powerbook, other than the obvious ones of screen size and cost. I know the 12 does not have firewire 800, but neither does my desktop G4, and no problem so far. I also know there is a difference in the video card, but am I wrong in thinking the 12 has more than an adequate card for video? Finally, is it worth any extra $ with either machine to go for a 60 or 80 MB drive if I plan to use a firewire drive for my data drive, so as to facilitate going back and forth between machines anyway? Thanks for any advice.

Linc Kesler

Jeff,
I finally got the AL Powerbook G4 1Ghz. I'm glad that I used the extra cash to get it. The Ibook would have been nice too, but the Powerbook is... POWER.
Haven't really tested editting on it yet, but will report.
Thanks for the advice.
Takeshi

>Finally, is it worth any extra $ with either machine to go for a 60 >or 80 MB drive if I plan to use a firewire drive for my data drive, >so as to facilitate going back and forth between machines >anyway? Thanks for any advice.

Depends on what you are doing, but I think 60Gs are more than enough for applications. Capture on a firewire drive so that you have a faster drive and more space.
As for the screen size, I found the 12 " too small for editting. Hope this helps

go with 80
 

I use a 12" powerbook to edit on and i love it. I opted for the 80 gig hd. What i did was partition the 80 gig drive so that 20 gigs was for my apps and around 60 was for my video. that way i have one partiion that has no fragments for my footage. when i'm done with my project i just erase/reformat that partition and im ready for a new project. what i do is capture offlineRt edit my movies. then recapture only the needed footage. If i need to i recaputre to an external drive. what i have found is that capturing to a USB 2.0 drive and leaving all the banwith of the FW bus to be used for the incoming footage and the usb 2.0 for the video to be recorded to is a safer option for me. I guess what it really depends on is how much footage your final project will need and how much mobility menat to you.

Also the 12" screen is a little small for editing, but if you just sequence your clips on it and then do all you effects what not using an extenal DVI monitor for that i dont think you will have aproblem. I use a 19" DVI monitor and that takes care on my screen size issue whne i need it,.